Passengers from states other than Victoria arrive in Melbourne the day prior to departure. Included in your fare is plane fare from (and return to) your home port, Melbourne transfers, accommodation, and full breakfast. (Dinner own expense.) Victorian passengers are either met at their metropolitan home/hotel for transfer to Essendon Airport, or provide their own transport to the airport. Free parking is available.

Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, WYNYARD, STANLEY, SMITHTON
We meet in Australasian Jet lounge, Hangar 81, Bristol Street, Essendon Airport. Morning cuppa prior to our departure in the nostalgic, restored, comfortable toilet equipped DC3 Air Nostalgia (you will be amazed at the legroom). Depart from Essendon Airport at 9:00 a.m. and fly across Bass Strait to the Tasmanian coastal township of Wynyard. Our coach awaits and we journey west to the historic township of Stanley, established in the early 1800’s and now with a streetscape of genteel colonial buildings. Lunch on arrival. During the afternoon take the chairlift to climb the Nut, a huge monolithic boulder which dominates the township. Stunning sea and township views. Visit Highfield Historic Site, established in 1832 as the headquarters of the Van Diemen’s Land Co., view the house, grounds and farm complex buildings. Some time to stroll along the main street, soak in the atmosphere, enjoy an afternoon coffee prior to continuing to Smithton and our overnight home, Tall Timbers. Relax, maybe enjoy a drink with fellow passengers prior to dinner together.

Day 2 (B,L,D) SMITHTON, TABLE CAPE, WYNYARD, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, GORDON RIVER, ZEEHAN, STRAHAN
Following a hearty breakfast we depart, visiting Table Cape, home to Tasmania’s (legal) opium industry and known for its scenic coastline. Early lunch today at Wynyard prior to reboarding our DC3 for a “low and slow” scenic flight to Strahan. Stunning views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, the Gordon River and Macquarie Harbour before landing at Strahan. A short coach journey to nearby Zeehan and the West Coast Pioneers Museum. Exhibits include items from the railway which brought copper from Queenstown to the coast (now the West Coast Wilderness Railway on which we travel tomorrow). We return to Strahan by coach and arrive at our home for two nights, Strahan Village Hilltop. Enjoy picturesque views from harbour view rooms (January: hill top rooms) and we enjoy a smorgasbord dinner high above Macquarie harbour.

Day 3 (B,L,D) WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY, THE SHIP THAT NEVER WAS
Following an enjoyable breakfast overlooking the harbour we board the West Coast Wilderness Railway, a highlight of our trip, for the journey from Strahan to Queenstown. In former days the rack and pinion railway was used to ship copper from Queenstown to the coast at Strahan. A spectacular journey through one of the world’s most rugged wilderness areas, crossing 40 bridges and climbing 800 metres on the 35 kilometre journey. We travel in the comfort plus Premium Carriage, stopping at stations along the way. Enjoy refreshments, delightful local produce lunch and premium Tasmanian wines as well as stunning scenery as our train takes us through an absolute wilderness of deep gullies and high mountains, using a rack and pinion system to climb the steep ascents. This spectacular journey ends in Queenstown. A photographer’s delight! We return to Strahan by coach. Time to browse in the shops of Strahan, or relax at our motel. Later in the day, a short but most enjoyable theatrical delight, The Ship That Never Was, prior to dinner together.

Day 4 (B,L) GORDON RIVER CRUISE, MELBOURNE
Another highlight today as we join the Lady Jane Franklin II for a delightful cruise on Macquarie Harbour. Best seats on the boat as we travel Premium Class on the Captain’s Deck. Included in our cruise is Hells Gates, the narrow harbour entrance, commercial salmon farms, the amazing Gordon River noted for picturesque reflections, a rainforest walk through ancient forests (see a 2,000 year old tree) and a visit to Sarah Island, a notorious convict settlement. Refreshments and lunch as we cruise. Following the cruise we reboard our DC3 aircraft for the return journey to Melbourne. Enjoy refreshments and complimentary bar service as we fly, arriving at Essendon Airport at approximately 6:00 p.m. So concludes a very special short break DC3 air holiday to the beautiful Tasmanian Wilderness area.